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Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
HIS knack for numbers, knowledge of Science as well as reading and writing abilities are exceptional.
Lesley Machimbidza (17), a Nyanga (Marist) High whiz kid scored 20As in the ZIMSEC 2021 Ordinary Level exams!
While his results trend on social media platforms, with such performance shocking many; his parents, peers and teachers are not surprised.
They actually expected it.
Lesley was known for burning the mid-night oil studying.
Born on March 1, 2005, Lesley wrote his Grade Seven exams in 2017 and obtained five units from five subjects.
He has an intrinsic hunger for success and studies assiduously to achieve that.
While he is not the best, and may never be, all he does is work hard to excel.
“I am a learner who likes to know more about the world and how we can correlate with it. This is why I studied 20 subjects. Many would think that I was chasing publicity, but that wasn’t the case, I did it for my life, and I am glad it ended well.
“The load was quite strenuous at times, but I attribute my success to my proper time management. I wouldn’t have managed it if I had used time recklessly.
“I feel very ecstatic about my performance, and I am glad to have made it this far. Of course, I expected it. I had so much belief in myself. Doubts would creep in here and there, but overall, I was positive I would make it,” he said.
So what’s next for Lesley?
“At the moment I am not really sure what the future has in store for me. Inasmuch as I would have wanted to further my studies under some form of a scholarship, I haven’t been so lucky in all the applications I have made. However, I remain optimistic that tomorrow might be a better day. I guess time will reveal my next step,” he said.
Lesley’s role models are his parents — Mr Geshem Machimbidza and Mrs Plasidia Machimbidza — employed by the Zimbabwe National Army and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, respectively.
“In them I see hard workers, people who want the best for me, and are always on the run to give me what I want. I appreciate them and these results are a result of their unwavering support. Doing 20 subjects does not lie entirely on the shoulders of the candidate, but stretches to the parents and guardians. I am grateful they offered their help.
“I attribute my success to my hard work, and also appreciate the support I received from my friend, Tinashe Chigasa, during my journey. I am happy he also did extremely well in the exams. I appreciate all my teachers for the help they offered me.
“Special mention goes to the (retired) Marist head, Mr Clement Nyamandwe, whose lessons groomed me into a goal-oriented boy. I will forever keep his words in my mind and heart. It was an honour to have him at the school (2018 to 2021).
“The Marist community provided a safe space for me to work hard and turn my dreams into reality. I also attribute my success to God, I wouldn’t have made it without Him.”
Lesley says fellow learners should know that consistency is key in studying.
“My principal, Mr Nyamandwe, always said two hours of uninterrupted study time each day yields 12As or 15 points. I strongly believe in that, all you need to do is be consistent. Those baby-steps will surely pay in the end.”
He said learners must take responsibility for their performance and not hide behind the Covid-19 induced school closures to justify mediocre performance.
“Life still has to go on and we need not to take refuge in the presence of the pandemic. If Lesley did it under Covid-19 lockdowns, then you can also do it. I knew the load I was bearing, so I had to work hard all the time, even during the lockdowns.
“I assure everyone that this is not the last time you will hear about me,” he said.
Mr Machimbidza said they expected good results from Lesley as he has never disappointed in school.
“As his parents, we are elated. Every parent expects the best from their children, and we are no exception. We expected this from him because of his previous achievements.
“I can’t rush to say what is next for him as there are many options on offer.
We expect him to proceed with his academics,” said Mr Machimbidza.
He said they allowed Lesley to tackle 20 subjects to gauge how far he could go.
“You cannot register such subjects if you do not trust what the child can do.
We threw the challenge at him to assess the elasticity of his mind. We wanted to establish how far he could go, the latitude of his mind, and he has proven what he is capable of.
“He is academically gifted, and compliments it with his dedication to studying. He is focused and doesn’t need supervision. He would only sleep for three hours and spend most of his time studying.
“His peers nicknamed him ‘book-worm’ due to his attachment to his books,” said Mr Machimbidza.
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